I’ve always wanted to race the unbound gravel and this year I put in my ticket and got picked for the 100!!
One small problem… I don’t have a gravel bike 😅
I’m torn between getting a mid range bike for the power meter that comes on it or just getting a bottom of the line bike and throwing one on after. All my training is power based so I’ll put a pm on any bike I end up with.
I don’t know if I should go carbon or alloy. Mechanical or electric shifting. Tubes or tubeless. Wide or thinner tires? Should I just base everything off my road setup?
My mind is running all over the place with the different gear options to pick from going into this. Watching previous years and seeing all the mechanicals and stuff that can happen idk how to prepare for this. Especially when it comes to equipment and spare tools or parts, the things that can go wrong with a bike.
I’ve never owned or ridden a gravel bike so all this is new to me.
by Ok_Put1693
11 Comments
Wider tires are better, tubes will guarantee that you will flat. Get a bike with as much tire clearance as possible. Whether it’s metal or carbon it’ll be heavy if it’s bogged down with mud. If you train with a power meter then get a bike with a power meter. No reason to over think it. Folks used to ride the event on CX bikes with 33mm wide tires.
There was a video from last year of a trio of guys who did the 200 on beach cruisers they bought at Walmart the day before the race, so you can pretty much do it on anything.
Power meters are expensive as you probably already know. If you can survive single sided pm, I’d recommend getting a bike that already has it on or has the SRAM ecosystem and upgrading the cranks to the power meter ones.
40-45 mm tires are going to be sufficient, but the tend lately has been in larger volumes, 55 mm or more. Whatever you go with, make sure there is plenty of clearance in case of mud. This was a whole thing 3 years ago. Check out the aftermath on YouTube.
Regardless of the size, absolutely go tubeless and bring a spare tube.
Good luck and congrats! I’ve done the 100 twice, North route both times. If you have any questions, feel free to pm me. It may not be good advice, but I’m always happy to give some sort of advice! Lol
Get in the sauna two weeks out to get ready for Kansas heat.
I would not recommend anything narrower than a 45mm tire for the north course. Tubeless is non-negotiable, in my humble opinion. I’ve done 2.7 Unbounds with zero flats. A simple tool kit with a chain break will do. Carry a few quick links specifically for your chain. Dynaplugs for quick plugging. Spare tube, tire boots. Practice the tire plugging in advance.
Tire clearance is the name of the game.
Look for a bike that can fit 45 mm per manufacturer ideally more.
Plan for mud. If there is mud get off it’s like peanut
butter and sandpaper. It will break derailleurs and hangers. It will wear holes thru carbon frames.
Carry a spatula / paint stir stick / park tool gear brush to clean wheels and shoes as needed.
Anything after that is totally up to you. But focus on a frame with lots of clearance. Rest is how much you want to spend.
I have ran 40s and 45s for unbound. The 45s were much appreciated. It’s a lot of bouncing / pounding on rocks. The extra volume is both faster and far more comfortable.
Tubeless is mandatory. Don’t do tubes. On top of that don’t show up with thin worn tires for the ride or dried out sealant. Check out the silca tubeless tool to help with how much air pressure to run. It’s less than you think.
It’s a great ride. I have done the south 100 course once (the mud year of 2023) and the north 200 course in 24 and 25.
I would look into the Lauf gravel bike. It will keep you comfy and cozy.
For bikes look into the Lauf Seigla, great budget friendly gravel bikes. 50cc tubeless tires. Learn how to work on bike and hope don’t need to do anything. Better to over prepare given high cost of race entry and lodging.
Get one of the Otso’s on black friday sale. I’ve done the 100 once and the 200 3 times on mine. It’s the perfect bike for every occasion. Then you can just get power pedals and be on your way.
Fwiw, power pedals will gum up in the mud and stop working a la 2023. So if you’re set on a power meter to function in the inclimate weather better to buy one with crank arm sensors or spindle instead of the pedals.
FWIW, I raced Unbound for many years on a 1997 Moots CX bike that will not take tires wider than 37mm. I only flatted one of those years and that was not from the flint… it was from hitting an exposed culvert at speed on a descent and denting my rim.
In other words, don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good enough. Ride it, enjoy it, bask in the challenge and humility of the flint hills. Don’t overthink it…
I’d love to do Unbound. But it’s a long way from Australia! I think my bike (Checkout) would be perfect. Having watched lots of videos from participants, it looks like wide tyres that have some level of puncture resistance would be a good way to go (nothing slower than fixing a flat). Something I saw on a Dylan Johnson video was around having enough water too.
It’s a south course year. Do NOT max out your tire clearance. The south course is notorious for mud as much or more than the north course is notorious for shredding tires. Be prepared to hike your bike at least a mile, and have that accounted for in your calculations of how much water you need to bring. The Flint Hills are super exposed to the elements and can get really hot. You’re battling heat, dehydration, and mud as much as you are your own goal time or the other racers.
I’m super stoked you’ve gotten in. 100 is a whole different (and easier imo) beast to plan for than the big kahuna, but Emporia at that time of year can be nasty in many different ways and that race needs to be approached with respect. Good on you putting in the prep work early